Knitting ornamented nonrun fabric



Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER 2,270,853

KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TORI ATTORN WiZIiam/E.S el ezys Jan; 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 :EQLE- -5- mmvrozc Wi'bli m ES 'eh r,

BY 5f ATTORNEY.

Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC 14 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Jan. 14, 1939 z wmwyxwwvm) \wvm a w M K a INVENTORI Wil I/iam E. fieeler,

ATTORNE W. E. SHEELER KNITTING ORNAMEN'IED NONRUN FABRIC Jan. 27, 1942.

Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-SheetA QNN NMN

' WiLl ia m Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER I KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 =4 .7 Re, Z H mm m V 0 m .n 25

L :U wry B Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER KNIT-TING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TORI WWI yam E. Sit edger,

A TTOR Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABR Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVEN TOR: WWI 5am E. Siveelez; 3&3

A TTOR Jan. 27, 1942.; w. E. SHEELER 2,270,853

. KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRYIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fla--15- I 50$ .5 F553 mmvrox:

WiMi'a/m E. .SYwekr,

1,2 1 ATTORN 1942- w. E. SHEELER 2,270,853

KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan, L14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 I N V EN TORI Will 5am E. Shack),

. A TTORN Jan. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER' KNITTING ORNAMENTED NO NRUN FABRIC Filed Jar x. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Jan 27,1942. w, E, SHEELER 2,270,853

KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 l4 Sheets-Sheet "15 B4B; FLEHEEL IN V EN TOR. [Nil Ham E. Sbeelx;

BY y} Arromv Jab. 27, 1942. w. E. SHEELER I 2,270,853

KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC Filed Jan. 14, 1939 14 Sheets-Sheet 14' FM:- -EU- 10 1145 Z W A AMQWWL ZMMXYZZ KEKZKEAW 5m mum/g g;

mar v v v I 4 Ag; V v

A TTO EY.

Patented Jan. 27, 1942 I I v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING ORNAMENTED NONRUN FABRIC William E. Sheeler, Sinking Spring, Pal, assignor to Berkshire Knitting Mills, Wyomissing, Pan, a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application January 14,1939. Serial No. 250,930

11 Claims. (o1; 66-180) This invention relates to knitted articles of v Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken transversely wearing apparel, such as hosiery, as well as to through the knitting machine showing certain means for and a method of knitting such articles of the loop forming mechanisms and point bar so as to embody therein novel loop structures operating mechanism constructed in accordance adapted to effect omamentations of run-resisting 5 with the invention;

character. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the point Heretofore, ornamented stocking fabrics have bar mechanism shown at the top of Fig. '7; been produced by contrastingly arranging differ- Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the lace course ent loop formations according to a predetermined regulator unit shown in Fig. 5, enlarged relative pattern. For example, lace loops and plain loops. 10 thereto;

Such designs heretofore produced were compara- Fig. 10-is a fragmentary vertical section taken tively fiat in structure or cross-section. substantially on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 12:

One object of my invention is to provide novel Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially ornamented knitted fabrics, and articles of wear-' along the line il-H of Fig. 9; ing apparel such as hosiery, in which the oma- Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the regulator unit mentations or designs are defined by a raised or as shown in Fig. 9;

rib-like loop structure embodying non-run char- Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the regulator unit acteristics. I taken from the left of Fig. 9;

Another object of the invention is to produce, Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken by a novel method, ornamented knitted fabrics substantially on line l4-l4 of Fig. 6, showing having plain or other loop areas defined by lines certain details of the invention;

formed of a raised or rib-like loop formation Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view showing the having run-resist and other characteristics effollower shifting slide and associated parts; feoting improved appearance and quality in the Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken substantially fabric. on line l6-l6 of Fig. 15;

Another object of the invention is to produce Fig. 17 is a view taken along the line l||'| of fabrics and articles of the indicated type, by Fig. 5 showing the lace .clock mechanism: novel means associated with a straight or full Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken'substantially fashioned knitting machine. on line Iii-l8 of Fig. 5;

With these and other objects in view which Fig. 19 is an enlarged front elevational view will become apparent from the following detailed of certain of the mechanism shown at the left description of the illustrative embodiment of the of Fig. 5, parts being omitted; invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 20 is a side elevation of said mechanism my invention resides in the novel elements, feataken from the right of Fig. 19; tures of construction and cooperation of parts as Fig. 21 is a view partially in section of the point hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the rod shifting mechanism shown at the upper right claims. g hand portion of Fig. 19, and enlarged relative Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a stocking made thereto;

in accordance with the invention; Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the point rod Fig. 2 is a view of the blank of the stocking mechanism as viewed from the right of Fig. 21;

shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken on the line Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged view of a portion 23-23 of Fig. 21;

of the fabric shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 24 is a sectional view taken substantially Fig. 3A is a diagrammatic plan view of a por-. along the line 24-24 of Fig. 22; tion of the fabric illustrating the steps necessary Fig. 25 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 24,

in producing one of the diamond shaped ornathe parts being shown in different operative posimentations; tions;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 25 but showing along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; the parts in different operative positions relative Fig. 5 is a front elevation. of the left end porthereto; tion of a full fashioned knitting machine having Figs. 27 to 29 are diagrammatic views of the my novel mechanism applied thereto for producneedle points and the shifting mechanism for ing fabric of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2; the points showing several of the steps necessary Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken substanin producing a fabricdn accordance with the tially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; .55 invention;

Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic plan view of the fabric with the associated needles and points respectively positioned as illustrated in Fig. 27;

Fig. 31 is a view of the fabric similar to Fig. 30 with the associated needles and points respectively positioned as illustrated in Fig. 28; and

Fig. 32 is a view of the fabric similar to Fig. 31 with the associated needles and points respectively positioned as illustrated in Fig. 29.

In the drawings and description, only those parts necessary to a complete understanding of the invention have been setforth; further information as to the construction and operation of other elements not herein specifically pointed out, but which are usual and well known, being available in the pamphlet entitled Full Fashioned Knitting Machines, copyright 1920, and in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogues, copyright 1929 and 1935, published by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Penna., and in a pamphlet entitled "Knitting Machine Lectures, published in 1935 by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a full fashioned stocking and a blank therefor, which may be produced in accordance with the invention, comprises, a folded welt W, a single yarn leg portion L, upper reinforced heel areas H, heel tab areas T, a foot portion P, reinforced sole areas S and a diamond point toe area N. Mechanism is provided whereby needle loops are selectively spread in opposite directions to produce a diamond shaped rib-like ornamental effect throughout the single yarn areas and certain of the reinforced areas of the fabric, the diamond shaped rib-like ornamentation providing run-resisting barriers defining plain loop areas whereby to limit runs, upon rupture of a yarn, to the plain loop areas of their origin, the mechanism being adapted to legger, footer and single unit machines to produce such ornamental effects.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 an d 30' to 32, inclusive, after a course of loops is formed by the'needles and associated loop forming mechanism, loops w, in this instance every sixth needle loop in the course, are engaged by two series of interengaged points and removed from the needles. One of the series of points is then shifted laterally relative to the other series .of points, spreading a portion a: of each of the loops w. to the next adjacent needle either to the right or left of the needles of origin of the loops. The spread loops are then returned to the needles, the portions :1: overlying the loops upon the next adjacent needles, causing a doubling or bunching of the loops at these points. The loops of subsequent courses are engaged in staggered relation to the loops of the preceding courses and selectively spread in opposite directions in such a manner that the bunched loops follow intersecting diagonal lines or ribs R slightly raised above the surface of the fabric, the diagonal line R being bounded on both sides by the spread loops w which, together with the diagonal lines, defines areas V composed of plain or unspread loops over the entire width of the fabric.

Fig. 3A diagrammatically illustrates the steps necessary to produce one of the diamond shaped panels of the present invention. In following these steps, as hereinafter set forth, the refercharacter w identifies the loops having portions a: spread to form the raised rib-like structure, shown in Fig. 3. Reference to the direction in which the loops are spread, refers to the appearance of the loops in Fig. 3A and not to the direction in which the loops are spread during production of the fabric.

For greater clarification, Fig. 3A shows the loop formation diagrammatically, .the diamond shaped unit indicated by the dot-and-dash line is formed as follows:

Starting at course A, the portion a: of the loop w intersecting course A at wale d is spread to the right; in course B, wale g, the loop w is spread to the left; in course C, wale c, the loop w is spread to the right; in course D, wale e, the loop w is spread to the right; in course E, wale b, the loop w is spread to the right; in course F, wale d, the loop w is spread to the left; in course G, wale f, the loop w is spread to the right; in course H, wales c and i, the loops w are spread to the left; in course I, wales a and g, the loops w are spread to the right; in course J, wale d the loop w is spread to the left; in course K, wale f, the loop w-is spread to the right; in course L, wale b, the loop w is spread to the right; in course M, wale e. the loop w is spread to the right; in course N. wale g, the loop w is spread to the left; in course 0, wale c, the loop w is spread to the right; in course P, wale f, the loop w is spread to the left; and in course Q, wale d, the loop w is spread to the right, this loop completing a cycle of steps to form one diamond started in wale d of course A and starting the cycle of steps to form the next succeeding diamond.

It will be understood upon consideration of Fig. 3 that the arrangement of the spread loops ence charactrs A, B, C, D, etc., starting at the top -of the figure, are used to identify the courses,

is such that every needle wale across the width of the fabric is protected by the spread loops, so

that not only an ornamental line or rib effect is produced, but a non-run or run-resistant effect as well; the ornamental lines R providing an eificient barrier by means of which, a run, starting in one of the plain loop areas V. will be stopped by one of the spread loops at either side of the diagonal lines R before entering an adjacent plain loop area V, thus preventing destruction of the plain loop area and ornamental rib effect beyond the plain loop area in which the run originated and the diagonal line or rib R adjacent thereto.

It will also be understood that by rearranging the spread loops in different ways, various nonrun or run-resistant ornamental rib-like designs defining plain loop areas may be produced, in which the spread loops forming the ribbed structure limits a run to a very small area of the fabric as compared to fabrics having 'similar ornamental rib-like appearance but which are effected by transferring selected needle loops. 'Ihus, in fabrics of the latter type, runs originating upon rupture of a thread, extend over a plurality of the rib-like line portions and consequently destroy the ornamental rib effect over an extensive area of the fabric.

Machine frame The machine frame in general is of the usual construction with the exception of modifications necessitated by the application of the invention thereto and includes the usual transverse end and center frames, on which are mounted longitudinal members such as the front and back beams, front and center beds and bearing blocks which are mounted a front beam I2, a back beam I3, a center bed I6, and a front bed I'Iextending only between the center frames, to form a support for a loop forming mechanism A, a main pattern mechanism B, a narrowing mechanism C, a point bar mechanism D, an auxiliary pattern mechanism E, and a'control device F for controlling the operation of the point bar and auxiliary pattern mechanisms.

Loop forming mechanism In knitting a full fashioned stocking blank, after the yarn is laid by' a yarn carrier, loops are formed by the usual loop forming elements such as needles, sinkers, dividers and knockover bits which are operated similarly to the manner in which these parts have been operated heretofore except where modifications are necessitated by the application of the invention.

The loop forming mechanism A, Figs. and 7, comprises, a needle bar I8 in which are mounted needles 29, two banks of which are disposed between each pair of center frames I I, lifting arms 2| which are pivotally connected to the needle bar I8 and which are secured tb a needle bar shaft 22,. a needle bar lever 23 also secured to the shaft 22 and on which is pivotally mounted a cam follower 24 arranged to cooperate with a plain knitting cam 21, and a narrowing cam 28 carried by a cam shaft 29. -The lever 23 is biased toward the cam shaft 29 by a spring 3i connected between the lever and a bracket 32 in turn fastened to the back beam I3.

Forward and rearward movement of the needles 29 is efiected by a forked lever 33 secured to the needle bar I8 and pivotally connected to a lever 34 which is in turn connected to a presser lever 36 carried by a shaft 31. The lever 36 carries a cam follower 38 for cooperation with cams 39 and 42. The presser lever 36 is connected by a spring 43 to a bracket 44 on the back beam I3, for biasing the lever toward the cams. I,

Cooperating with the needles 29, in forming into loops yarn laid thereto by yarn carrier rods 45, are sinkers and dividers 46 and 41, respectively, mounted in a sinker head 48. The sinkers 46 are moved forwardly by jacks 49 which are slurred forwardly by a slur cam 52 carried by a slur cock box 53 mounted for slidable movement transverse to the sinkers on a guide rail 54. The cock box is secured to a connecting bar 56 which is reciprocated parallel to the front of the machine by the usual coulier mechanism.

The dividers 41 are moved forwardly and backwardly by a catch bar 51, Fig; 7, which receives its movements from cams (not shown) on the cam shaft 29 through a linkage including, a lever 58, a vertical shifting lever 59 mounted on a shaft 62, and a horizontal lever 63 which is secured to the catch bar 51. 'The sinkers 46, are engaged with and disengaged from the catch bar 511 by means of a front catch bar linkage including, cams on the cam shaft (not shown), a front catch lever 64, a link fixed on a front catch shaft 96, a vertical lever I0, and a horizontal link 61. Main pattern mechanism Pattern mechanism, by means of which the various operating mechanisms are controlled,

comprises a usual pattern chain having buttons mounted thereon, by means of which the operating mechanisms are thrown into and out of operation at the correct time.

A main pattern mechanism B, Figs. 5 and 6, comprises a bracket 68 on the front beam I2,

a shaft 69 carried by the bracket, 9. sprocket wheel I2 rotatably mounted on the shaft, and a pattern chain 13 carried by the sprocket wheel. The pattern chain 13, carrying buttons I4, is supported along the front of the machine by idler-rollers (not shown).

The chain I3 is advanced about the sprocket wheel 12 by a pawl and ratchet device I8 which is operated by a lever 15, pivotally mounted on the bracket 68, the lever carrying a cam follower 19 for cooperation with a cam 80, Fig. 6, on the cam shaft 29 in the usual manner. A stub shaft 11 is supported in the bracket 68 and carries a follower 18 disposed between cam shaft shogging cam 8| and 82 on the cam shaft 29. A member 83 mounted at one end of the stub shaft I1, is slidably mounted in the bracket 68, and is biased, by means of a spring 84, from a normal operating position between the cams 8| and 82, to a second position between the cams in which the cam shaft 29 is moved to shogged or narrowing position. Movement of the stub shaft TI and the follower I8 between the normal operating and narrowing positions is controlled by a latch member 86 which normally holds the stub shaft and the follower in its normal operating position. The member 83 carries a cam follower 85 for engagement with a cam 98, in turn carried on the cam shaft 29, for moving the cam follower I8 to different positions betwee the cams 9i and 82.

Narrowing mechanism Narrowing mechanism including a narrowing spindle mechanism, by means of which the stocking blank is narrowed to form a shaped stocking, comprises end stop nuts for controlling the movement of the carrier rods and narrowing nuts for;1 controlling the movement of the narrowing re s.

A narrowing spindle mechanism C, Fig. 5, comprises end stops which are positioned at each end of the machine and which are carried by a nut 81 mounted on a threaded spindle (not shown), to control the. strokes of the yarn carrier rods (Fig. 7) in the usual manner. Narrowing nuts 88 carried on a spindle '89, operate.

. is operated by a cam 99 on the cam shaft 29,

and a cam follower 98 on said lever when the cam shaft is shifted to the narrowing position.

The narrowing rods 9| and 92 are slidably mounted in brackets IIlI, Fig. 8, carried on a front narrowing shaft I92 which is connected to a back narrowing shaft I83 by arms I04. Dip-- ping movements of the front narrowing shaft I02 about the axis of the back narrowing shaft I03 are eiTected by the upward and downward movements of links, one of which is shown at I86, each of the links being connected at one end to the front narrowing shaft I82 and at .its

outer end to a lever I01 pivotally mounted on one of the center frames II, Fig.7.. The lever I01 carries a cam follower I08 for cooperation with a cam disc II 2 and a narrowing dipping cam H3 mounted on' the cam shaft 29 for effecting the usual dipping movements of the front narrowing shaft I02.

Point bar mechanism Point bar mechanism, by means of which predetermined loops are acted upon to produce a spread loop formation, comprises, a pair of point bars supported on the front narrowing shaft and arranged to dip therewith, and a cam linkage actuated from the cam shaft for moving the point bars vertically and horizontally relative to each other, a complete description of the parts involved in these relative movements and their operation being found in Patent No. 2,034,990, issued to Emil Richter, on March 24, 1936. By the present arrangement, however, loops may be spread in different direction in different courses to produce the ornamental designs described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

A point bar mechanism D within the present invention, Figs. 7 and 8, comprises a main row of points H4 carried in a bar H6 which is connected by means of arms H to a rod H1 carried in the bracket IOI supported from the front narrowing shaft I02. The rod H1 and the points H4 are arranged for longitudinal movemerit relative to the needles 20 by mechanism and for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

Auxiliary points H8, carried in a bar H9 are secured to a rod I22 by means of brackets I 2| the rod I22 being supported for pivotal and longitudinal movement in arms I23 which are fixed to an operating shaft I24. The shaft I24, pivotally mounted in the brackets IOI, also has fixed thereto a crank arm I26 which is connected to one end of a link I21 in turn connected to a bell crank lever I28 on the back narrowing shaft I03, Fig. 7. The bell crank lever I28 is connected by a link I29 to a cam lever I32 pivotally mounted on a shaft I33. A cam follower I34, carried by the lever I32, cooperates with a cam I36, mounted on the cam shaft 29, during the loop spreading operation.

For the purpose of controlling the turning movement of the shaft I22, a coil spring I31, Fig. 5, disposed around the shaft I22, is arranged to normally bias the points I I8 toward the points H4. The rod H1 carries a cam element I38 for cooperation with a lever I39, mounted on the shaft I22, to move the points H8 away from the points H4 for the purpose as hereinafter described.

In order to produce the spread loop formation, the points H4 are dipped with the front narrowing shaft I02 to engage predetermined loops on the needles 20 after which the auxiliary points H8 are also moved downwardly, to engage said loops, by means of the cam I36 and the linkage operated thereby. Upon the upward movement of the needles and points to loop spreading position,,the cam I36 and its linkage effects engagement of the lever I39 with the cam element I38 to move the points H8 forwardly to clear the grooves in the points I I4 50 as to permit the points I to be shifted laterally relative to the points H8, by means to be presently described, After the loops have been spread the points are dipped to engage the needles to return the portion of the loops on the points H8 to the needles from which the loops were removed and the portion of the loops on the points H4 to adjacent needles, thus completing a loop spreading operation.

Auxiliary pattern mechanism Mechanism for controlling the selection of the loops to be spread and for effecting operation of the points to spread the loops to produce the fabric in accordance with the invention, comprises, an auxiliary pattern chain, a horizontally movable slide device for determining the loops to be spread by the points, and a vertically movable slide device for controlling the spreading of the loops either to the right or the left of the needles from which the loops were removed by the points.

An auxiliary pattern mechanism E, Figs. 5, 6 and 14 to 26, comprises, a shaft I42, Figs. 17 and 18, supported in a bracket I4I, having an enlarged cylindrical portion I43 somewhat eccentric to the axis of shaft I42, and a series of control levers I44, I45, I46, I41 and I48, pivotally mounted on the portion I43, Fig. 18. The control lever I44, etc., have stepped surfaces I49 (Fig. 16) at the end remote from cylinder portion I43. A pattern chain I52 is provided with a series of varying height buttons I53 arranged to engage and selectively position the levers I44 to I48, inclusive, for purposes hereinafter set forth. The levers I44, I45, I46 and I48 are biased toward the buttons I53 by springs I55.

The chain I52 is supported on a sprocket wheel 54 (Fig. 18), mounted on a shaft I56 pivotally supported by the bracket MI, and on idler rollers I50 and I 5I (Fig. 5) supported from the machine frame. A ratchet wheel I51', secured to the sprocket wheel I54, is operated by a pawl I58 carried by an arm I59, in turn pivotally mounted on the shaft I56. The arm I 59 is connected by a linkage I62 to a lever I63 pivotally mounted on a shaft I89 which is carried in brackets I on the back beam I3. The lever I63 carries a cam follower I64, Fig. 17, for cooperation with a cam I66 mounted on the cam shaft 29 to turn the arm I59 and the pawl I58 about the shaft I56 to advance the pattern chain I52. The sprocket wheel I54 is prevented from moving accidentally by a brake arrangement I61, and may be manually rotated by means of a hand wheel I68 carried on the end of the shaft I56.

A stop portion I69, Fig. 16, carried by a member I12 slidably mounted in a bracket I15, Fig. 19, cooperates with stepped portions of the levers I 44, I 45 and I 46 this cooperation of the levers and stop portion limiting the leftward movement of the member I12, in which direction the member I12 is biased by means of spring I85, A bracket or head member I13 (Figs. 17 and 21), carried by the member I12, slidably carries a member I14 (Figs. 21, 22 and 23), by means of guide brackets I10 and HI which are secured to the head member I13, against which the point rod I22 is biased by means of a spring I80. The head member I13, also carries a cam member I16, against which the point rod H1 is held by a spring I8I. With this arrangement, the position of the points H9 and H4 relative to the needles 20 is determined when the stop portion I69 of the member I12 is against one of the levers I44, I45 and I46, as controlled by the buttons I53 on the pattern chain I52.

In order to advance the pattern chain I52 to change the setting of the control levers I44, I 45 end I46 and to reposition the point rods H1 and I22 and the points carried thereby, relative to the needles 20, it is necessary to displace the point rods to the right beyond the highest step on the control levers-and to raise the control levers out of the path of'the highest button I53 on the pattern chain. For this purpose, the head member I13 is provided with a cam follower I11 arranged to cooperate with a cam member I18 slidably mounted in the bracket I15. The cam member carries an arm I81 (Fig. 19) which is provided with a portion I88 disposed beneath the levers I44, I45, I46, I41 and I48. The cam member I18 is connected to a lever I82 by means of a link I19, the lever carrying a cam follower I83 for engagement with a cam I84 during the knitting operation, and for engagement with a cam I85 during loop spreading operations. During knitting operations the cam I84 maintains the slide member in a raised position, as shown in Fig. 19, thereby maintaining the point rods 1 and I22 to the right and the control levers in a raised position.

When the cam shaft 29 is shifted to the right from its position in Figs. and 19, to the narrow ing position, the followers I64 and I83 are aligned with the cams I66 and I85, respectively, whereupon, the cam member I18 is lowered permitting the levers I44 to I48 to be lowered into engagement with the respective buttons I53 on the chain I52, and permitting the bracket I13 and slide member I12 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 19, to engage the stop portion I69 with one of the levers I44, I45 and I46, as determined by the buttons I53, thus aligning the points H4 and I I8 with selected needles. During this action, the cam I66 lowers the pawl lever I59 and the pawl I58 to position the pawl for the next advance of the pattern chain. Afterthe loops have been spread by mechanism and in a manner hereinafter set forth, the cam member I18 is raised to its position of Fig. 19, to move the slide I12 and the bracket I13 to the right and to raise the levers I44 to I48 out of the path of movement of the buttons I53, whereupon the pawl lever I59 is actuated by the cam I66 to advance the pattern chain I52 and the buttons I53 to control the position of the points H4 and I I8 for the next loop spreading operation.

In order to laterally shift the points II4 relative to the points .8 in either direction after the points have removed the loops from selected needles, the cam member I16 is provided with cam surfaces I9I, I92 and I93, Figs. 24, 25 and 26, for engagement with projections I94 extending from the member I14, Fig. 23. The cam member I16 is mounted on the bracket I13 by a pin I96. A spring I91, disposed around the pin I96, maintains the cam member in engagement with the projections I94, Fig. 24.

The projections I94 of the member I14 are normally in engagement with the cam surfaces I92, which in this instance is the neutral position, as shown in Fig. 24, or the position in which the points I I4 are in engagement with the points II8 to take the loops from the needles 29, Figs. 27 and 30. In order to spread the loops to the right as shown in Fig. 31, the member I14 is raised to engage the projections I94 with the cam surfaces I9I, Fig. 26, which action shifts the points II4 to the right relative to the points II8, as shown in Fig. 28. To spread the loops to the left, as shown in Fig. 32, the member H4 is lowered from the neutral position, to engage the projections I94 with the cam surfaces I93, Fig. 25, whereupon the points II4 are shifted to the left, relative to the points I I8, as shown in Fig. 29 by the spring I8I (Fig. 5-)...

To move member I14 for effecting the right or left shifting movement of the points II4, the member I14 is connected to a bracket I98 .(Fig.

19), pivotally and slidably mounted on a shaft I99 carried by a link 292, which is mounted on an axle 29I carried by a lever 293, pivotally carried by the shaft I89. A cam follower 296 carried on the axle 29I cooperates with cams 291 and 298 mounted on the cam shaft. A second cam follower 299 carried on the axle 2!" is adapted to be I shifted axially into alignment with a cam 2I9 on the cam shaft, the follower 299 being normally held in inoperative position relative to the cam 2I0, Fig. 19.

The follower 299 has a grooved portion 2I2 adapted to be engaged by one end of a shift lever 2I3 pivotally mounted on a stud 2I4 carried by the lever 293. The shift lever 2I3 has a cam follower portion 2I6, Figs. 6 and 16, which is biased by a spring 2" toward cooperative engagement with a cam member 2I8 slidably mounted in the lever 293. The cam member 2 I8 is connected by a universal joint arrangement 2 I 9 to a link 222 connected to the control lever I41, Figs. 15 and 16; the cam member being biased downwardly by a spring 223 (Fig. 29).

When the cam shaft is shifted to the right or narrowing ,position to produce a spread loop formation, the cam 298 is moved into alignment with the cam follower 296, the lever I41 is lowered by the arm I81 into engagement with the buttons I53 on the pattern chain I52. At this time if it is desired to have the cam 298 control the movement of the slide I14, the lever I41 engages a high button I53, thereby preventing the cam member 2I8 from shifting the follower 299 into engagement with the cam '2I9, so that upon rotation of the cam shaft 29, the cam 298 will lower the member I14 to move the projections I94 from the neutral position out of engagement with cam surfaces I92 'and into engagement with the cam surfaces I93, whereby the points II4 are shifted to the left relative to the points M8 by spring I8I, as hereinbefore set forth, thereby spreading the loops to the left. When it is desired to spread the loop in the opposite direction, a low button I53 is positioned beneath the lever I41, so that when the cam shaft is shifted to the narrowing position the follower 299 is shifted into alignment with the cam M9 by the cam member 2I8. With the follower 299 aligned with the cam 2I9, upon rotation of the cam shaft the member I14 will raise the projections I94 from the position in which the projections are in engagement with the cam surfaces I92 of the cam member I16 to'the position in which the projections are in engagement with the cam surfaces I9I. With this action the point rod II1 shifts the-points M4 to the right relative to the points II8, thereby spreading the loops to the right.

During the production of a stocking fabric, incorporating both loop spreading and narrowing operations, narrowing may be effected by' controlling the extent of movement of the carrier rods by means of thenuts 81, during which the narrowing nuts 88 and the narrowing rods 9i and 92 are held inoperative by disengaging the pawl of the device 93 for the spindle 89. In View of the loop spreading and narrowing operations being performed when the cam shaft is in its right hand or narrowed position, these operations may be performed simultaneously or separately from each other. In this instance, it is desirable to perform the spreading and narrowing operations separately, therefore, when loop spreading operation is to be effected the narrowing mechanism 'is held inoperative, and when a narrowing of the fabric is to be eflected, the auxiliary pattern mechanism is held inoperative.

For this purpose, there is provided, a rod 228 on which is mounted a stop member 229 for cooperation with a projection 232 on the lever I63, Fig. 1'7, a stop member 233 for cooperation with a projection 234 on the lever I82, Fig. 20, a stop member 231 for cooperation with a projection 238 on the lever 283, Fig. 18, and a stop 239 for cooperation with the cam member 2I8, Figs. and 16.

When the cam shaft 29 is shifted to narrowing position, if it is desired to produce a narrowing of the fabric, the rod 228 maintains the stop members 229, 233, 231 and 239 under the levers I63, I82 and 283, and cam member 2I8, respectively, thereby maintaining the pattern mechanism E inoperative and permitting the follower 98 to be aligned with the cam 99 to actuate the narrowing head mechanism C. However, when it is desired to produce a loop spreading operation when the cam shaft is shifted to the narrowing position, the rod 228 is shifted to remove the stops from beneath their said respective levers and cam member, and the cam follower 98 is prevented from becoming aligned with the cam 99 to prevent the operation of the narrowing head 0.

Mechanism for shifting the stops from beneath the levers I63, I82 and 283, and the cam member 2I8, and for shifting the cam follower 98 to prevent the cam 99 from being aligned therewith, comprises, a lever 243, a cam follower 244 pivotally mounted on the lever for cooperation with a face cam 246 carried by the cam shaft 29, and a cam follower 258 for cooperation with a portion I of the face cam 2 46, Figs. 6 and 14. The lever 243 has an extension 241 arranged for engagement with a latch lever 248 pivotally mounted on the chain bracket 68. The lever 248 is biased in a clockwise direction into latching engagement with the extension 241, Fig. 5, by a spring 245. The lever 243 is secured to a shaft 249 pivotally carried in a bracket 252 mounted on the back beam I3. An arm 253, also secured to the shaft 248 cooperates with one arm 254 of a lever 256 pivotally carried by an extension 251 of the bracket 252. A second arm 258 cooperates with a collar 259 carried by the shaft 228 to shift the shaft to the left as viewed in Fig. 6, against the action of a spring 268 when lever 243 is swung about the axis of bracket 252, and to shift the said stops and cam member.

The lever 243 is provided with a second extension 262 having a forked portion embracing a rod 263 and disposed between collars 264 carried by the rod 263. A spring 266 disposed around the rod 263, between acollar 261 on the rod and a bracket 268 secured to the back beam I3, tends to bias the rod 263 to the right as viewed in Fig. 6. The rod 263 further carries collars 269 between which is disposed one arm 212 of a lever 213 pivotally mounted on the backbeam I3. The lever 213 has a second arm 214 for engagement with the cam follower 98.

When it is desired to produce a loop spreading operation, the cam shaft is shifted to narrowing position and the latch lever 248 is moved from beneath the lever 243 whereupon the follower 244 is biased downwardly by a spring 216 into alignment with the face cam 246 so that upon rotation of the face cam the lever 243 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, in the bracket 252, thereby shifting the rods 228 and 263 to the left. With the movement of the rods 228 and 263 to the left, the follower 98 is moved to the right away from the cam 99 to prevent operation of the narrowing spindle mechanism, and the stop members 229, 233, 231 and 239 are removed from beneath the levers I63, I82 and 283, and the cam member 2I8, respectively, thereby permitting operation of the pat- Pattern mechanism control device A control device is provided for determining the course in which a spreading operation is to take place, and comprises a counting device for determining the number of plain courses between spread courses, and a rod for effecting shifting of the cam shaft and operation of the point rod pattern mechanism.

A pattern mechanism control device F, Figs. 5, 6 and 9 to 14, comprises, a rod 283 slidably mounted in the chain bracket 68, a bracket 284 secured to the rod 283, a set screw 286 carried by the bracket for cooperation with the latch lever 248 for moving the same from beneath the extension 241 of the lever 243, and an arm 281 also secured to the rod for cooperation with the latch member 86 (Fig. 5) for effecting shifting of the cam shaft to narrowing position. The rod 283 is secured to a slide frame 288 (Fig. 13) carried on a guide rod 292, in turn slidably mounted in a bracket 293 secured to the front beam I2. A stud 294, secured to the bracket 293, carries a ratchet disc 296 (Fig. 9) having a predetermined number of teeth arranged to be engaged by a pawl 291 pivoted on a stud 299 carried by a lever 298 which is pivotally mounted on the stud 294. The lever 298 is operated by a lever- 382 (Fig. 12) pivotally mounted on a shaft 383 carried by the bracket 293, through cooperation of a cam follower 384 mounted on the lever, and a cam 386 on the cam shaft 29. The lever 298 is held in engagement with the lever 382 by a spring 38I. The lever 382 is provided with a stop screw 381 (Fig. 9) which is biased into engagement with a portion'of the bracket 293 by a spring 388, the stop screw limiting the clockwise movement of the lever 382, as viewed in Fig. 13. The pawl 291 is provided with a portion 389 held in engagement with a stop 3I2, carried by the bracket 293, by means of a spring 3I3. The stop 3I2 limits the forward movement of the pawl 291 toward engagement with the teeth of the ratchet disc 296 when the lever 382 is in a. rest position.

A member 3 I4, pivotally mounted on a hub portion' of the ratchet disc 296, Fig. 11, is provided with a stop portion 3I6 (Fig. 9) for cooperation with the pawl 291 or preventing the pawl 291 from engaging the teeth of the ratchet disc 296. The member 3 is biased by a spring 3I8, in a clockwise direction, Fig. 9, against a .stop pin 3I1, carried by the ratchet disc 296, to move the stop portion 3I6 beneath the pawl 291. The member 3 is disposed in the path of movement of a bell crank lever 322, carried on the bracket 283, which is connected to a lever operated by a 

